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I had a really rough week last week with a loss in my family. It’s one of those things that I know takes a long time to “get over” – I’ve been there before.

But. . .I’ve also had a lot of conditioning that makes me feel that I’m a burden if I’m feeling down, or that I have tp put on a happy face…even when it’s the last thing I want to do.

Part of me agrees with the idea that I need to keep going – one foot in front of the other, and sticking to my routine is more helpful than it isn’t – I get out of my brain, for one (which frankly isn’t firing on all synapses at the moment.)

And part of me feels like…let me get through this, and then I can go home and cry when I need to…because it is just as important for my wellbeing to “allow” my emotions” as it is to be stoic.

I haven’t had much energy, but I still go through the motions. Form is integral, though, and no matter if we are doing lighter weight, or just running our “usual” on autopilot, we have to pay attention to the form. I’ve made it a habit to really focus on the muscle that should be working when I exercise, so fortunately I’m in tune with what’s moving (and what shouldn’t be.) I listen to my body and always try to respect when it needs a break…and to give it a little bit of a push if it needs it.

Today was one of my leg days – I have two. I used to do EVERYTHING on one day, but it’s overboard for me at this stage in the game. Instead, I like having two manageable but challenging days that aren’t to the point that I make myself sick thinking about them (which used to be the case.) What’s the point if you are stressing about what’s supposed to be fun and / or good for you?!

My usual Tuesday exercises include the following (I try to keep some of my rests “active” to knock out my ab work without tacking on a ton of time – I don’t want to live at the gym the way I used to back in the day!)

I went to the gym, I put on some music, and I went through the motions (carefully.) I didn’t get upset if I couldn’t do everything as well as usual, or if I had to cut my reps. Movement is helpful even when it can’t be as much as I normally do. It’s SOMEthing, and that’s what matters.

We have the opportunity to melt down at any given time. We also have the opportunity to pick ourselves up and move forward as best we can. I choose both, and that’s okay. One allows me the freedom to be comfortable with myself and what I’m feeling – to acknowledge that those emotions are acceptable. The other reminds me that I’m goddamn strong, and I will get through ANYthing.

I LOVE leg day(s) – they are definitely the most exhausting workouts of the week, but…I love them.

I know perfectly well that “no pain, no gain”doesn’t completely hold water but…I’m “one of those”! I like to feel the soreness because it indicates I’ve actually done something worthwhile. (Zero soreness? Sorry, I didn’t put the effort in!)

I generally do HIIT sprints on the treadmill the same mornings I have leg workouts – it is a lot, but I balance it out with days of active rest, or Martial Arts training and less stressful lifting.

My routine can vary but I do have a few favorite “staples” like squats, deadlifts, and leg press – I mix it up so I have both “heavy hitter” exercises, with less heavy-duty supplemental ones. I also generally add abs in there at the end…

The other day, though, our Smith Machine broke… It’s funny because I know a lot of fitness gurus who might well have gone to pieces! Can’t do a staple you are used to doing, and suddenly the world ends! (Do you know the type?!)

Well…it SHOULDN’T. Changing things up, even if we are forced while the equipment is down, isn’t a bad thing… (I don’t do free bar squats because I have one reconstructed knee, and one missing an ACL – the Smith offers a security my physiology does well with!)

So my regular squats were out, as were my single leg lunges on the Smith. End all be all?

It was a nice change because sometimes by the time I’m done with cardio, I just want to plow through my “regulars.” The forced change offered me the opportunity to jump to a few other exercises, equally as effective, that kept my body guessing.

So if change indeed DOES occur, especially the unexpected kind…just embrace it and do something you haven’t done in a while. Your body will actually appreciate the alteration and give you some lovely gains in return! 🙂

I try to split up my leg workouts these days, not because I can’t finish a workout focusing on quads and hams together…but more so because I am FAR too sore when I do both in the same day! The ramifications of that are not only discomfort on a higher scale, but the inability to train as well in the Dojo / Dojang / on the mats.

Glute recruitment happens either way, but some of the heftiest quadricep dominant and hamstring dominant are relegated to two separate days...meaning I split up the squats and leg press from the deadlifts and single leg deadlifts.

Now obviously, I’m using those muscles in all of the lower body exercises, but I have found that doing all of them in one day can be too much of a good thing, and I get better results when I am not totally decimated…

Basically at the end of the week it’s hard to walk! 😉 I LOVE lifting heavy, but I’ve also learned that sometimes I have to go easier, especially these days – because I do Martial Arts, flexibility is MASSIVELY important.

I need to be mindful and stretch, as well as foam roll (I need to be better about that) – heavy lifting WILL impede your flexibility, like it or not. Can you have both? Absolutely! But the reality is that you will be more limber when you don’t destroy your legs, so either going a little easier…or really making that time to stretch out…will make a difference – your goals will determine what works best!

I love leg day… It takes it out of me, but…I love it. I was going into it tired today, but I wasn’t about to forgo the routine – I knew I needed it, and I’d be happier if I pushed through.

Leg day is actually the only workout day(s) during which I feel sick. My gym rat buddies would say that’s a good thing…it means I’m “working.” *LOL* How very old school. (And how funny that I’m saying the same thing in my mind! *LOL*)

I’ve actually split up quads and hammies these days, in part because of time constraints (I can be at the gym for HOURS if left to my own devices!), but also because I need to maintain some level of flexibility and I want to recover better.

When I would do everything on one day, I was sore for daaaays. I’m still sore after splitting it up, but recovery is more manageable, so for right now I’m sticking with it. I do glutes both days, but vary the exercises (except cable kickbacks – I bring my own ankle strap and tend to do those regardless – yay for perkiness! 😉 )

The tougher quad exercises I do first – everyone is different, but this works for me physically AND mentally (the latter is important!) So leg press, squats, and weighted walking lunges go first in the group! It gives me both a sense of accomplishment, as well as a “phew, that’s done!” feeling…and I have more energy to push hard, having not exhausted myself prior.

I can’t say it was my most stellar day, but I maintained my form and got it done.

Some days we are stronger than others, and there is nothing wrong with that. So even if it is leg day…and that happens to be your toughest too…just hang in.

You don’t have to be a superhero every time you step foot in the gym – safety and health are first! You will feel great even if you manage some of it because…well…endorphins! 🙂 They come to the rescue the second you start jamming, so don’t give up!

Like this:

I love working larger muscle groups – I think it’s because I feel like I get more bang for my buck on leg and back day. Or maybe it’s because I inherently know my caloric expenditure will be higher…even if marginally…on those days. That’s always nice! 😀

The Spring (and totally unexpected, in my case!) allergies are draining my energy like a vampire on a binge, but there’s no way I’m not going to put forth my best effort! After about 15 sneezes in a row, I got dressed and hopped on the bike, tissues in tow.

I did 50 minutes of spin sprints early – getting cardio out of the waydoes matter for me. If I am aware I am doing it, I need to do it first so I can push through, and have it behind me. There are various camps of thought on what *should* go first (as with stretching) but this works for me…and I am all for per individual. Cookie cutter doesn’t work.

I always sneak in hanging leg raises and 2 minutes of planks as a maintenance ab routine, so in addition to that I did:

Dumbbell Row

Seated Cable Row

Seated Pressurized Row (on a pressurize machine)

Lat Pulldown (I avoid tons of lats because my wings are broad naturally. I don’t want to totally emphasize that area, just keep it toned.

Standing Cable Row with rope attachment

Lying Lateral Raise

I usually do a bit more but it was still a great workout – I always do at least three sets. I finished with my stretching, which is really crucial in my opinion (certainly for what I do in Martial Arts, but also from a staying-mobile standpoint – it’s good for everyone!)

Tomorrow is leg day – I don’t know if other folks like to leave it for a weekend, but I feel like Saturdays afford me more time. And if I eat a little bit more, I don’t feel as badly…because I KNOW I’d have killed it earlier! 🙂

Happy workouts to all, and if your allergies are getting you down, hang in there! It’s okay not to be perfect, just give whatever you have and know that yes, that IS enough – you’re doing great!

I didn’t even cycle on Saturday and I usually do 45 minutes of sprints first! GAWD! Instead, I did…

Double legs Leg Press, sets going from 10 plates to 4

Single leg Leg Press, sets going from 4 plates to two

Deadlifts

120 walking weighted lunges

Back stepping dumbbell lunges

Leg extension

Jumping switch lunges

Hanging leg raises

Stretching (which I needed to do more OF!)

So it didn’t seem like a lot but…I felt like the video the day after! I know you don’t *have* to be sore but…I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love feeling DOMS. (I KNOW I’m not alone on this one either! *cough* *cough*!) 😉

And I kind of laugh to myself because I know some people who REALLY work legs. And then I know others who can’t bring themselves to push through it, cutting themselves short before their body would really need to go easier. It’s honestly the only day I feel like I *could* get sick…but…I love it all the same. ❤

Like this:

It was definitely a heavy metal kind of day, and why not, for a mid-week pick-me-up!? Ahhh…Metallica. ❤

Morning sprints were rocking’ – I generally will let me music tell me what to do…and it does. The beat will determine, for me, whether I’m sprinting, pushing hard, out of the saddle, or doing little “jumps.” I have to be honest, classes feel a little too cloying for me – I’m already roasting so being surrounded by tons of other people is kind of overwhelming. *LOL* I have some friends who teach UH-MAZING classes…but I always end up jamming on my own. 😀

If I’m feeling more ambitious, I’ll do 20 or 30 second sprints, with only 10 or 20 second rest, about 8 times…and then I’ll repeat it a few times. Steady state doesn’t really work as well for me – I see better results with the HIIT, and biking is better for me than running or sprinting. Each body is different so it’s more a matter of what works (given physiology, injuries, needs etc…)

It was off to legs after that… Leg press isn’t for everyone, but with my knee injuries, I appreciate the leverage. My PT is A-Ok with it so…

Deadlifts are a must-do for me – I don’t see a lot of people doing these, and even less women. WHY!? SUCH a good exercise for the glutes and hammies!

Tons of walking lunges and hip thrusts later…I felt like jello. I forgot the cable kicks soooo, I might just strap on the ankle weights and hit the floor with the cats! Oh…and… FOAM ROLL!! I HAVE to foam roll. We ALL have to foam roll! Makes such a difference.

Speaking of which, when I got home, my new Lululemon jazz arrived. I don’t much like being “trendy” so I’m not trying to fit in… Lulu has GORGEOUS stuff – as a dancer most of my Life it’s fair to say I have worn my share of leggings and performance clothes. I am happy it’s become acceptable to run around in performance wear (though it wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t – I’ve done it for 30+ years! TOO BAD!) 😉

I’m not sure if I’m keeping the In Flux jacket– the fit is divine, and so is the material – both fit and fabric are ALWAYS on point with Lulu! It’s more that it’s a warmer plum and I’m not sure I’ll wear it as much as black. But…it’s beautiful. The Groove leggings? LOVE. Absolutely LOVE them – fit is perfect, and it’s one of the fewer bootcut pairs they offer (at least right now.) Their seams are always super flattering too – so I think the pants make everyone look awesome!